Oregon Football: 5 Reasons the Ducks Are No. 1

The Oregon Ducks are the most exciting team in college football this year. Every time they have stepped out on the field they have put at least 40 points on the scoreboard, with a season high of 72 coming in the first game against New Mexico Lobos.

In the first BCS Rankings released Sunday the Ducks were No. 2 in the polls behind the also undefeated Oklahoma Sooners.

However, Oregon has dominated every opponent that has lined up on the field against them and after demolishing the UCLA Bruins 60-13 they are looking like the best team in the nation.

4. Oregon Defense

When you talk about Oregon the conversation always begins with their offense, and it's easy to see why. The Ducks have some of the most amazing stats in all of FBS on the offensive side of the ball.

But not too many people give the players on the other side of the ball the credit they deserve. After seven games the Ducks defense ranks 13th in FBS in points allowed per game at 15.9 (almost 40 points lower than what their offense averages per game).

Oregon's defense also knows how to get to the quarterback. They have 16 total sacks with Brandon Bair and Kenny Rowe leading the team with three sacks apiece.

They also have a nose for the ball. The Ducks have recovered 10 fumbles and have 14 interceptions. It's not all about the offense with Oregon and the 2010 Ducks defense is showing you just that.

3. Oregon Offense

The Oregon Ducks have the most potent offense in FBS. They have playmakers at all the skill positions: QB Darron Thomas, RB LaMichael James, WR Jeff Maehl and TE David Paulson.

They average a FBS best 55.1 points per game, and have scored 60 plus points in three of their games (with a season high of 72).

On the ground the Ducks average 308.4 yards per game, which ranks third in FBS. Oregon isn't one sided on offense though, through the air Oregon puts up 260.7 yards per game. In their rout of UCLA, Darron Thomas threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Chip Kelly

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Chip Kelly has been the mastermind behind Oregon's resurgence to the top of the Pac-10 and top of the college football world.

Kelly took over the job in 2009 and hit the ground running. He was the first coach in Pac-10 history to win the conference outright in his first season. The Ducks went on to their first Rose Bowl since 1995.

Chip Kelly's explosive offense is yet to be figured out by many defensive coordinators and Kelly is taking full advantage of that.